Electrolytic cell.



F. G. WHEELER.

ELEcTRoLYnc CELL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30 1915. LQSB., Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. G. WHEELER.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 3o. I9I5.

Patented Auw. 7, 1917. L

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATS PART FIQ.

FRANK G. WHEELER, 0F APPLETON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BIEACI-I PROCESS COM- PANY, OF APPLETON, WISCONSIN, .A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 191'?.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK G. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Appleton, in the county of Outagamie and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells, and particularly to cells of the diaphragm type which are primarily intended for the production of caustic alkali solutions and vchlorin by electrolyzing solutions of alkali chlorids. A primary object of the invention is to provide a cell construction in which the cathode is relieved of all strains due directly or indirectly to the weight of the cell-cover or of the anodes; and in which such cell-accessories as the brine-feed, the liquid-level indicator, the chlorin-outlet and the like, or some of them, may be mounted in the interior of the cell instead of at its peripheral portion, as has been the usual practice heretofore. In the embodiment which is preferred for cells of large size, the cell is substantially circular in contour, the chamber for containing the electrolyte assuming the general form of an annulus surrounding a central well in which they necessary connections and accessories, including if desired the electrical connections for the anodes, may be carried. p

Certain forms of cell embodying the linvention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1, 2 and 3 are central vertical sectional views of three illustrative embodiments of the invention, like numerals indicating corresponding parts in all of the figures.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a cylindrical cell comprising a base plate 1, a cover 2, anda central hollow column 3 which supports the material which is capable of withstanding chlorinated brine, as stoneware, cement compounds, or if desired iron faced with rubber, etc. As illustrated in this figure the central column 3 is separable from the base and cover, and is properly positioned with reference tothese by shallow circular or annular grooves-4. The anodes 5, usually of graphite, are carried by the cover 2, and therefore indirectly by the column 3. A cylindrical perforated cathode 6, with its asflange may however be integral with the cover. A casing 10, usually of sheet metal, surrounds the cathode, assuming in this partlcular case the form of a. vessel or container for the parts above described. rI`his casing 1s provided with a bottom outlet 11 for the caustic solution and with a top aperture 12 for the escape of hydrogen.

It will be observed that in this construction the cathode is carried by the base plate of the cell, and is quite free to expand or contract under changes of temperature without incurring strains due to the weight of the cover or of the anodes, which are independently .sup-ported by the column 3. The

cover of the cell may be luted, as indicated at 13, the luting being suiiiciently plastic to permit any necessary relative movement as between the cover 2 and the flange 8.

14 represents a brine-feed pipe leading to the interior of the hollow column 3. 'This is shown as somewhat constricted about midway of lits height, and provided at the constricted portion with a plurality of apertures 15 through which the fresh brine is distributed to the anode compartment. A further advantage of this construction is that theA cover, with the anodes carried thereby, may be readily removed, as may also. the column 3, thereby exposing all the I interior portions of the cell for inspection,

.- tion,

cover. All of these parts are made of a for. cells of larger size and is in general similar to that above described. In this case the central column 3 is substantiallypcylindrical, flaring outwardly at its upper porand forms a liquid-tight connection with the base 1, this construction allowing the central 'portion of the'cell to take the form of an open well. The brine in this case isfed directly through conduit 14: to the annular anode chamber, and the chlorin is drawn Oif downwardly through conduit 16. 17 represents a level-indicator for the electrolyte. The anodes 5 are supported directly from the column 3, the electrical connections ring 1b is separablev from the inner portion of the base plate, anld` carries the cathode and diaphragm 6, 7, as well as the cathode casing 10. As will readily be seen, this construction permits the cathode with its assostoodlthat they may be supported either ciated parts to be removed without dismounting the cell other than by disconnecting the cathode lead andthe caustic line. While in. Fig. 3 I haie shown the anodes as carried by the cell-base 1, it will be underfrom the cover as in Fig. 1, or from the cen'- tral'column as in Fig. 2: It is a feature common to all of the constructions that'the working parts of the cell are very readily accessible.

The foregoing are merely illustrative embodiments of my invention/which may be variously modified in design. The use made of the free interior space provided by the central column in Figs. 2 and 3 will of course depend in a measure upon the size of the cell; and in large cells all of the accessories, including if desired a fxedlevel brine-feed, may be located in this'y interior space.

accessories are merely illustrative of their kind, and may be modified as desired in. form and construction. For example, the gas-connections, -brine-inlet and the like may ,assume the form of channels or conduits cored into the casting.

' In all of the constructions illustrated the cover is carried directly by the interior column, and in Fig. 2 the anodes are also carried by this column. These constructions are particularly advantageous in connection at these joints, or which might lead to deff ormation of the cathode itself. -Furthermore, even in the larger sizes of cells, the various parts may be made so light' as to be readily handled; thus the base plate which carries the diaphragm may be a ring instead of a disk; the central column,- is detachable and may be separately handled, the anodes It will also be understood that the' several elements herein referred to as cell are separately mounted; and if desired the annular covers may be made in sections .for convenience in handling.

The apparatus may be otherwise modified as will be apparent to those skilled in thisart. yFor example, the function of supporting the cover as well as the anodes independ-` ently of the cathode can be secured in a construction such as is illustrated in Fig. 1 by the use of one or several solid columns; so that although I prefer to employ hollow columns on account `of the additional advantage thereby secured, my invention is not restricted thereto.

If desired, the central column in any of the constructions may be cast or formed integral @with the base or with the cover, or \with either of these; so that the terms base and cover as employed hereinare not restricted to separate or separableelements, but refer broadly to such cell portions as perform the corresponding functions.

I claimz- 1. An electrolytic cell having a base, a combined cathode and diaphragm, an anode, a cover, and means located in the interior of the cell for supporting said cover independently ofsaid cathode and diaphragm.

2. An electrolytic cell having a base, a combined' cathode and diaphragm carried thereby, an anode, a cover, and means locatedl in the interior of the cell for supporting said anode and cover independently of said cathode and diaphragm.

3. An electrolyticy cell having a base, a cathode, a cover, and means comprising a hollow column locatedy in the interior of the celll for supporting said cover independently of said cathode.

4. An `electrolytic cell having a base, a cathode carried thereby, an anode, a cover, and means comprising a hollow .column located in the interior of the cell for supportingl said anode and cover independently of said cathode.

5. An electrolytic cell having a base and cover, a combined cathode and vdiaphragi'n extending between the base and cover, and means located in the interior of the cell for `supporting said `cover independentlyy of said conductive or insulated material, and a combined cathode and diaphragm carried by said rim and removable therewith.

9. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of' an internal feed cup, located within the anode compartment, an anode supporting means carried on said internal feed cup, anodes carried by said supporting means, said anodes being located external to the feed cup.

10. An electrolytic cell comprising a cylindrical anode compartment, an internal feed cup within said anode compartment, and anodes having a support carried on said internal feed cup.

11. An electrolytic cell comprising an anode compartment and a removable cover for the anode compartment, an internal feed cup for the anode compartment, electrodes depending from the cover, said cover being supported directly upon the internal feed cup.

l2. In an electrolytic cell, a container, a cathode-diaphragm Within said container forming one wall of an anode vessel, a removable anode cover for the anode vessel, anodes depending from the cover, said cover being supported independently of and at an elevation lower than the upper marginal edge of the cathode-diaphragm thus permitting the anodes to be immersed in the electrolyte throughout their length below the cover.

13. In an electrolytic cell, a cathode-diaphragm forming the wall of an anode vessel, a bottom for the anode vessel, a cover for the anode vessel, a vertical member resting upon the bottom of the anode vessel, said vertical member serving as a support for the anode cover, whereby said anode cover is supported independently of the wall of the anode vessel.

14. In an electrolytic cell, a cathode-diaphragm forming the wall of an anode vessel, a bottom for the anode vessel, means for supporting an anode cover, said means being supported wholly on the bottom of the anode vessel.

15.'In an electrolytic cell, a cathode-diaphragm forming the wall of an anode vessel, a bottom for the anode vessel, an anode supporting means, said anode supporting means being carried wholly on the bottom of the anode vessel. and anodes carried by the supporting means, said anodes being located between the supporting means and the cathode diaphragm.

16. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode compartment, an irernal feed cup located within the electrode compartment, an electrode supported on the feed cup and extending into the electrode compartment externally of the feed cup.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

FRANK G. WHEELER.

Witnesses: v

HENRY A. ROTHCHILD, A. M. DUREY. 

